Sheffield sets out an ambitious vision for the future of sport and leisure facilities.

A new long-term strategy is set to help ensure Sheffield’s sport and leisure facilities are fit for the future, supporting healthier communities, reducing inequalities and strengthening Sheffield’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading sporting cities.

The Built Sport and Leisure Facilities Strategy 2025–2039 provides the first ever comprehensive citywide framework for planning, protecting, and investing in sport and leisure facilities across Sheffield over the next 15 years when the population of the city is estimated to increase by almost 75,000 people.

The approach focuses on a city-owned rather than a Sheffield City Council strategy alone. It covers sport and leisure facilities across Sheffield regardless of ownership, including Council-owned venues, community-owned places, schools, universities, voluntary organisations and private providers. It is a document for the whole of Sheffield, for the benefit of the residents and visitors to the city.

The strategy highlights both Sheffield’s strengths and the challenges ahead. While the city has a broad range of sport and leisure facilities, many are ageing and face increasing pressure from a growing population.

Evidence shows that having facilities is only part of the picture. Access, affordability, quality, and location all play a crucial role in helping residents become more active and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that sport, leisure, and physical activity can provide.

The strategy identifies major investment priorities, including the future of Springs Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre, Goodwin Sports Centre, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Ponds Forge, and Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium (Woodbourn Road). It also focuses on the need to protect and improve strategically important swimming pools, sports halls and affordable community fitness opportunities.

It also highlights the importance of local facilities such as community halls, parks, outdoor courts, multi-use games areas, and wheeled sports facilities, which provide low-cost, accessible ways for people to stay active. It considers whether venues are located in the right place, are affordable, accessible by public transport and active travel routes, and available to the communities when they need them.

" Sheffield has a proud sporting heritage, producing world-class athletes and inspiring generations of residents to get active. To maintain that legacy, we must invest in ageing facilities and ensure people across the city have access to modern, affordable and inclusive places to be active."

"This strategy provides a clear framework for improving and renewing our sports facilities, particularly in communities where activity levels are lower, and health inequalities are greater. By investing in the right facilities in the right places, we can help more people improve their health and wellbeing, support local clubs and community activity, and create opportunities for the sporting stars of tomorrow." Cllr Brian Holmshaw, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council.

The strategy places a strong emphasis on reducing inequalities and improving opportunities in communities where activity levels are lower, and health challenges are greater.

The evidence base will help shape future funding bids, guide planning decisions, support developer contributions, and strengthen collaboration between Sheffield City Council, Sport England, leisure operators, schools, universities, clubs, community organisations and private providers.

"The University of Sheffield welcomes the launch of the new Built Sport and Leisure Facilities Strategy and its commitment to supporting sustainable, inclusive, and adaptable facilities that meet the evolving needs of communities across Sheffield. High-quality built assets play a vital role in supporting health, wellbeing, learning, culture, and economic growth, and this strategy provides a strong framework to ensure that future investment delivers lasting social value."

"We look forward to continuing to work with partners across the region to share expertise, drive innovation and help create places and facilities that benefit residents now and for generations to come. We encourage organisations across the public, private and education sectors to engage with and support the delivery of the strategy, working collaboratively to maximise its impact and create lasting benefits for communities throughout Sheffield." Andrew Cox  - Associate Director Sport and Physical Activity at the University of Sheffield.

Sheffield is rightly incredibly proud of the sporting superstars to come out of the city over decades; it has some elite venues that continue to produce Olympic and World Champions.

This strategy continues that tradition alongside helping to produce the future superstars of their local area, the vitally important community groups and the facilities residents can rely on to help them lead a fun, healthy and vibrant lifestyle.